Written Answers Nos. 1079-1100
1079. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she has taken following on from the report of the independent child death review group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17524/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI indicated when I published the report of the Independent Child Death Review Group (ICDRG) that I welcome the findings and recommendations of this report, and that I accept fully the need for action in the areas identified.
At an operational level the HSE has developed an implementation plan which responds to each of the recommendations in the Review Report. This plan identifies persons with key responsibility for actions, timelines for those actions and a review of the current position. The plan will be reviewed at intervals until all the actions are completed. With regard to progress on implementation there have been a number of key developments including substantive improvements in social work case allocation and case planning.
The necessary actions are being implemented in the context of the Government’s reform programme for children’s services, the most radical reform of child welfare and protection services ever undertaken in the State. The integrated delivery of these reforms will ensure that responses to many of the ICDRG recommendations will be mainstreamed into the work programme of the new Child and Family Support Agency.
At a broader policy and legislative level, detailed work is also underway to implement the ICDRG recommendations as follows:
Legislative Reform
- In order to support the rights of children generally, and particularly those who require the intervention of child welfare and protection services, the Constitutional referendum on children was held in November 2012. Issues related to the in camera rule and child care court proceedings have also been subject to legislation. The Child Care Act 1991 (Section 29(7) Regulations were made in November 2012 facilitating the public reporting of child care court proceedings by researchers. These regulations have facilitated an independent project under Dr Carol Coulter which is carrying out research, for publication, on child care hearings in the courts. The Government has recently published the Court Bill 2013 to directly address issues related to the in camera rule. The draft Heads of the Children First Bill were considered by the Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children and the report of the Committee is being considered by my Department in the development of these legislative proposals. Consideration is also being given to strengthening legislation regarding the provision of aftercare. I recently met with experts and representatives of organisations working with young people in care to discuss the approach.
Organisational Reform
- The Child and Family Agency will be an essential vehicle for ensuring the ethos of quality and accountability called for by the ICDRG is strongly reflected in children’s services.
Operational Reform
- A central feature of the new Agency will be a new Service Delivery Framework which will prioritise serious child protection referrals while providing for development of new ‘Local Area Pathways’ which will involve a greater use of community-based services to address child and family welfare concerns in a timely & effective manner. Significant work has taken place in relation to this service redesign;
- A group has been established in the HSE to work with the Irish Youth Justice Service on the needs of the most vulnerable youths, in line with the needs highlighted in the Child Deaths Report;
- Work is progressing on development of a National Child Care Information System to comprehensively address issues of record keeping and data management. The procurement process is now at contract stage;
- Two out-of-hours pilot projects in Donegal and Cork were commenced and independently evaluated. The HSE has reviewed the Evaluation Report and prepared a business case for a National Out of Hours Social Work Service. The HSE is in discussion with relevant staff representative associations.
Workforce Development
- This Government completed the recruitment of 260 additional social workers proposed in the Ryan Report Implementation Plan. Over 1,400 social workers are employed in Children and Family Support Services and the introduction of 260 additional social workers represents a significant strengthening of the workforce;
- Arrangements for the induction, training and supervision of these staff have been put in place;
- Support for all staff includes the introduction of national guidance, such as Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, and supervision of the implementation of this guidance.
Oversight
- Last July, I launched the first-ever HIQA ‘National Standards on Protection and Welfare of Children’. HIQA recently announced the commencement of inspections of child protection services, in line with new standards;
- 10 cases identified in the ICDRG report have been referred for independent review under Dr. Helen Buckley. One of these reviews has already been completed;
- Specific work is proceeding in relation to the Review Group’s recommendations regarding mechanisms for the independent review of child deaths. It is necessary to ensure that any such arrangements are developed in a manner that is fully consistent with the major organisational reforms currently in train including the transfer of child protection services from the HSE to the CFSA and the recent expansion of HIQA’s inspection regime to cover all child protection services. My Department has also consulted with colleagues in the North in order to share learning from the respective approaches to child death review.
I trust these details illustrate the seriousness with which the ICDRG report is being advanced. Finally, my Department has also used the detailed research undertaken in the report to highlight more general policy issues across Government, including for example discussions on the preparation of a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which is expected to be considered by Government shortly.
1080. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the relationship between youth services in Dublin and community policing, and impact of this in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in working class communities, and that cuts to funding of such services will alter this relationship and put additional pressure on disadvantaged communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16036/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These projects and schemes operate in Dublin City and throughout the country. These supports are designed to be preventative and to address a range of issues affecting young people and their communities including early school leaving, unemployment, drug/substance misuse, youth homelessness, and the impact of problems to do with juvenile crime and anti-social behaviour. Young people are provided with a wide range of programmes and activities, which respond to their needs, interests, capacity and age profile.
Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
My Department is developing a new youth policy framework for publication later this year. The new youth policy framework will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and activities and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality has overall responsibility in the area of crime and anti-social behaviour and his Department funds a range of youth services, in particular Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) and Young Person Probation Projects (YPP), in areas of greatest need with a specific youth crime intervention approach, targeting those involved in or at risk of offending behaviour through early intervention work. These services are linking with other youth services provided by my Department to support effective crime prevention approaches by equipping young people with experiences and skills and competences that will enhance their development and their positive engagement in their local communities.
1081. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the development of socially funded child care, after-school care and community-based education programmes will form part of the Irish social investment strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16200/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently developing a new Children and Young People’s Policy Framework which will set out high-level goals for both my own and other Departments for the next five years. The Policy Framework is expected to be published in mid 2013 and will build on Our Children - Their Lives, Ireland’s first Children’s Strategy which was published in 2000. The National Early Years Strategy is one of three, more detailed strategies which will be developed under the Framework.
The Early Years Strategy, which will be Ireland's first ever national strategy for early years, is already under development and is expected to be completed later this year. It is expected that it will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as health, including physical and mental development, vaccination programmes and population health issues such as nutrition and exercise, as well as parenting and family support, learning and development, play and recreation and early childhood care and education, including literacy and numeracy.
The Strategy will bring together and consider a significant amount of international and domestic research on the importance of early years for child development, including findings from the 'Growing up in Ireland' study. It will also be informed by the evaluations from the Prevention and Early Interventions Projects which have been funded jointly by my Department and philanthropic organisations, as well as an analysis of existing service provision and associated resources. The major programme of institutional change which is currently underway, including the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency, will also be taken into account.
My Department provides significant support to parents to assist them with the cost of childcare. This support is provided through the provision of two targeted childcare support programmes - the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme - and the universal Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
The CCS programme provides funding to community-based childcare services to enable them to provide childcare at reduced rates to parents in receipt of social welfare payments or on low incomes.
The CETS programme was introduced in September 2010 and provides €145 towards the weekly cost of full time childcare places to participating childcare services for trainees and students who are deemed qualified by FÁS or the VEC. Students on part-time courses are funded on a pro rata basis.
The ECCE programme provides one free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Children aged between 3 years 2 months and 4 years 6 months at 1 September in the relevant year qualify for a maximum of 15 hours per week free pre-school provision over a 38 week period. This is a universal programme to which all children have access.
As part of Budget 2013, I announced with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, a joint school age childcare initiative which will provide further additional support to both the community and private childcare sector. This initiative, which represents a full year investment of €14 million, will provide important support to parents in low income families wishing to take up employment, along with ensuring that quality after-school care is in place to support children's development.
In 2013, the total expenditure by my Department on these support programmes is expected to be in the region €260 million. These programmes have been maintained and expanded despite the ongoing need to reduce Government expenditure and they represent a significant investment in supporting parents with the cost of childcare.
1082. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that the key recommendations made in the child death review report which was published in 2012, documenting the deaths of 196 children under the State's care, her proposals to implement these key recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16358/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI indicated when I published the report of the Independent Child Death Review Group (ICDRG) that I welcome the findings and recommendations of this report, and that I accept fully the need for action in the areas identified.
At an operational level the HSE has developed an implementation plan which responds to each of the recommendations in the Review Report. This plan identifies persons with key responsibility for actions, timelines for those actions and a review of the current position. The plan will be reviewed at intervals until all the actions are completed. With regard to progress on implementation there have been a number of key developments including substantive improvements in social work case allocation and case planning.
The necessary actions are being implemented in the context of the Government’s reform programme for children’s services, the most radical reform of child welfare and protection services ever undertaken in the State. The integrated delivery of these reforms will ensure that responses to many of the ICDRG recommendations will be mainstreamed into the work programme of the new Child and Family Agency.
At a broader policy and legislative level, detailed work is also underway to implement the ICDRG recommendations as follows:
Legislative Reform
- In order to support the rights of children generally, and particularly those who require the intervention of child welfare and protection services, the Constitutional referendum on children was held in November 2012. Issues related to the in camera rule and child care court proceedings have also been subject to legislation. The Child Care Act 1991 (Section 29(7) Regulations were made in November 2012 facilitating the public reporting of child care court proceedings by researchers. These regulations have facilitated an independent project under Dr Carol Coulter which is carrying out research, for publication, on child care hearings in the courts. The Government has recently published the Court Bill 2013 to directly address issues related to the in camera rule. The draft Heads of the Children First Bill were considered by the Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children and the report of the Committee is being considered by my Department in the development of these legislative proposals. I have also committed to strengthening the legislation regarding the provision of aftercare. I recently met with experts and representatives of organisations working with young people in care to discuss the best approach to this amendment.
Organisational Reform
- The Child and Family Agency will be an essential vehicle for ensuring that the ethos of quality and accountability called for by the ICDRG is strongly reflected in children’s services.
Operational Reform
- A central feature of the new Agency will be a new Service Delivery Framework which will prioritise serious child protection referrals while providing for development of new ‘Local Area Pathways’ which will involve a greater use of community-based services to address child and family welfare concerns in a timely & effective manner. Significant work has taken place in relation to this service redesign.
- A group has been established in the HSE to work with the Irish Youth Justice Service on the needs of the most vulnerable youths, in line with the needs highlighted in the Child Deaths Report.
- Work is progressing on development of a National Child Care Information System to comprehensively address issues of record keeping and data management. The procurement process is now at contract stage.
- The ICDRG highlighted concerns in relation to social worker assignment and care planning. As of Quarter 4 2012, data indicates that 92% of the total children in care population had an allocated social worker. There has been a significant improvement in recent years noting that as recently as 2009, for example, some 17% of children in care did not have a social worker. In the case of children in special care and high support facilities, 100% had allocated social workers. 87.6% of the total children in care population had a written care plan as defined by the Child Care Regulations, 1995. In the case of children in special care and high support facilities, 100% had written care plans.
- Two out-of-hours pilot projects in Donegal and Cork were commenced and independently evaluated. The HSE has reviewed the Evaluation Report and prepared a business case for a National Out of Hours Social Work Service. The HSE is in discussion with relevant staff representative associations.
Workforce Development
- This Government completed the recruitment of 260 additional social workers proposed in the Ryan Report Implementation Plan. Over 1,400 social workers are employed in Children and Family Support Services and the introduction of 260 additional social workers represents a significant strengthening of the workforce.
- Arrangements for the induction, training and supervision of these staff have been put in place.
- Support for all staff includes the introduction of national guidance, such as Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, and supervision of the implementation of this guidance.
Oversight
- Last July, I launched the first-ever HIQA ‘National Standards on Protection and Welfare of Children’. HIQA recently announced the commencement of inspections of child protection services, in line with new standards.
- 10 cases identified in the ICDRG report have been referred for independent review under Dr. Helen Buckley. One of these reviews has already been completed.
- Specific work is proceeding in relation to the Review Group’s recommendations regarding mechanisms for the independent review of child deaths. It is necessary to ensure that any such arrangements are developed in a manner that is fully consistent with the major organisational reforms currently in train including the transfer of child protection services from the HSE to the CFA and the recent expansion of HIQA’s inspection regime to cover all child protection services. My Department has also consulted with colleagues in the North in order to share learning from the respective approaches to child death review.
I trust these details illustrate the seriousness with which the ICDRG report is being advanced. Finally, my Department has also used the detailed research undertaken in the report to highlight more general policy issues across Government, including for example discussions on the preparation of a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which is expected to be considered by Government shortly.
1083. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will a receive rebate on their child care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16587/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare rates to low income and disadvantaged families.
Community childcare services qualify for grant aid based on the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. Parental returns are submitted in the Autumn of each year to my Department by the service provider and funding is provided on the basis of these returns . These returns give details of all parents who, during one 'snap shot' week, have children enrolled in the participating childcare service.
The child referred to by the Deputy was not enrolled in the service in the relevant week and therefore could not be considered for subvention. Children who enrol after the parental returns have been submitted can be funded if they are replacing a child who was enrolled during the 'snap shot' week and has since left the programme.
1084. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost incurred by her Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16603/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government's St Patrick's Day Programme, which presents a significant opportunity for the promotion of the country, including with respect to tourism and trade: I visited the four cities of New Delhi, Calcutta, Pune and Chennai in India. The cost incurred by my Department to date is €5,746.07. The trip took place between the period of 13 March 2013 to 21 March 2013. I used the opportunity of my visit to address important current issues in the area of intercountry adoption.. A final figure will be available once all invoices have been received and processed.
1085. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when inter-country adoptions between Ireland and Vietnam will resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16789/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2012 the AAI and the Vietnamese Central Authority for Adoption signed an Administrative Arrangement for intercountry adoption. The Administrative Arrangement is the first international arrangement for intercountry adoption entered into by the AAI and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since both countries ratified the Hague Convention.
One of the agencies accredited by the AAI to facilitate adoptions from Vietnam has applied to the Vietnamese authorities for approval, a decision by the Vietnamese authorities in this regard is expected shortly.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an independent sovereign state, as such it is a matter for them to decide the manner in which it will implement the Hague Convention, including the numbers of children deemed suitable for intercountry adoption having regard to the principles of the Convention.
1086. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with reference to the €2.75 million fund for maintaining the upkeep of interior services, equipment and natural outdoor spaces for all children, if she will clarify which types of child care settings are eligible for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16810/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been successful in securing €2.75m in capital funding in Budget 2013 to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector. Community/not-for-profit and private childcare providers/childminders that are currently providing services under one or more of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs funding programmes - the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme - are eligible to apply.
The 2013 funding programme covers four strands:
Strand 1: small grants to purchase equipment or carry out small maintenance work;
Strand 2 : grants to improve accessibility of services for children with disabilities;
Strand 3: grants to provide natural outdoor spaces that promote active outdoor play; and
Strand 4: grants towards critical works to ensure that buildings are fit for purpose under the childcare regulations (open to community/not-for-profit services only).
It should be noted that in the case of applications for funding under Strand 3, the HSE will be consulted in relation to the proposed works. Applicants who are not required to be notified to the HSE will receive an on-site visit from Pobal or the local City/County Childcare Committee to verify the application and validate the need for the proposed works.
The 2013 Childcare Capital Programme will also be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department. Full details of the Programme, including instructions on how to apply for a grant, are available on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie. Applications must be made on-line, and the closing date for applications is Tuesday, 30 April 2013.
1087. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures he is taking to preserve the budget of a programme (details supplied) in Cork; the other services that are available to children before attending and after leaving DEIS schools daily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17051/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Completion Programme (SCP) aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. The SCP is one of three service strands, which also includes the Home School Community Liaison and the Education Welfare Service, being integrated under the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The SCP is a key programme under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) action plan.
In 2013, funding of €26.456m has been made available by my Department to support the programme, which involves 124 projects and initiatives throughout the country.
The Local Management Committee assesses the needs of marginalised educationally disadvantaged students at local level to devise an integrated, costed and targeted proposal of interventions to support these young people.
The structure of the retention plan is required to encompass four distinct pillars of support to include, in-school, after-school (including breakfast clubs), holiday and out of school supports. This project model approach, allows the Local Management Committee the autonomy to be creative and innovative in developing strategies to encourage attendance, retention and participation of the targeted young people. Accordingly, it is a matter for the SCP to decide on the use of SCP funds in the context of the available grant and the overall programme of activities.
In September 2012, the Local Management Committee responsible for each SCP project was notified that a reduction on last year’s allocation would apply for the coming academic cycle. Nonetheless a significant level of funding of €274,761 was made available, to the School Completion Project raised by the Deputy, for the 12/13 academic year.
Projects were requested to revise their plans for 2012/13 in order to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs whilst prioritising evidence based services to support children’s educational outcomes. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), under the remit of my Department, has provided assistance to projects through this process in accordance with its management responsibilities for the programme.
In the present challenging financial circumstances it is not feasible to alter the notified allocations to individual projects. I would note that my Department intends to complete a review of the SCP over the course of 2013. It is anticipated that the review will assist in identifying operational efficiencies and other reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing as a key component of an integrated school support service under the NEWB.
With regard to the wider question of other services that are available to children before attending and after leaving DEIS schools daily, the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which is implemented by my Department, provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced rates to qualifying parents for childcare provision including breakfast and after school clubs.
A new After School programme is being introduced later this year by my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection, which will provide funding to enable participating childcare services, both commercial and community, to provide after school care at reduced rates to qualifying parents.
1088. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will release the analysis undertaken prior to removing Health Service Executive funding from the childminder advisory officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17064/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildminders who take care of less than three children in their own homes are exempt from the Regulations provided under the 1991 Childcare Act. A number of initiatives were introduced to encourage childminders exempt from notification under the Regulations to voluntarily notify their services.
In 2002, the Health Service Executive (HSE) agreed to fund a Childminding Advisory Officer post or provide a staff member in each county, who would work with the 33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) funded under the Childcare Programme, implemented by the then Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The role included notifying childminders of training opportunities, providing networking opportunities and supporting the voluntary notification system which was being developed by the CCCs.
While Childminding Advisory Officers were established in most county areas, this was not always the case and they were not always located with the local CCC. Despite their presence and the additional supports including training, a small capital grant scheme and the introduction of a tax relief for childminding in 2006, the increase in the number of voluntarily-notified childminders since 2004, when the number was 500, has been relatively small and levelled off at 1,250.
In recent years, the HSE made a decision to gradually reduce the level of funding and support for the Childminding Advisory Officer posts. I understand that this is due to pressure on HSE resources and the need to prioritise funding to other areas of front-line services. While this is not a welcome development, I would point to the fact that the CCCs are now well-established and effective bodies at local level, and that supporting the childminding sector is an integral part of their work. As a result, childminders continue to have access to support, training and advice.
My Department provides annual funding to each CCC to enable them to support and advise all childcare providers at local level. In 2012, the total amount allocated to the CCCs was €11.3m. In addition, in 2012 my Department provided €220,000 to the CCCs for Childminding Development Grants. My Department also provides annual funding, totalling €2.85m in 2012, to seven National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to provide support at a local level to their members. This included €358,000 for Childminding Ireland, the representative body for childminders.
In 2007, the then Office of the Minister for Children published National Guidelines for Childminders which had been developed by its National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee. The Guidelines provide information to childminders on whether they are subject to the Child Care Regulations, the voluntary notification system, the tax relief for childminders, as well as guidance on good practice and other useful information on the role of the childminder in the provision of childcare services.
My Department has commenced work on Ireland's first Early Years Strategy. I have received Government approval for the approach I am taking in developing this Strategy as an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of our Early Years sector, aimed at providing a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to the age of six. One of the policy issues which I have identified for consideration in the preparation of the Early Years Strategy is the development of the childminding sector as a fully-integrated component of early childhood care and education, in particular for the under-one age group.
1091. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations in the report on the Roscommon child care case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16016/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest available information available from the HSE indicates that the HSE West Regional Director of Operations and the Regional Director of Children and Family Services requested HSE's Quality and Patient Safety Audit unit to undertake an assessment of progress to provide assurance to HSE senior management regarding the extent to which recommendations arising from the Roscommon Child Care Case (RCCC) Report have been implemented in the HSE West region. HSE West Region comprises the following 5 areas;
- Donegal
- Sligo / Leitrim / West Cavan
- Mayo
- Galway / Roscommon
- Mid West (Limerick / Clare / North Tipperary)
The objectives of this assessment were twofold:
- Identify if recommendations arising from the RCCC Report relating to service delivery have been implemented and to what extent.
- Support the due diligence exercise that is required as part of the transfer of child care services from the HSE to the new Child and Family Support Agency.
The team found sufficient evidence that the following RCCC recommendations have been implemented:
- Organisation change, including establishment of a national management tea
- Court processes
- Staff roles, particularly in respect to contact with children
- Observations made on home visits
- Working with fathers
- Child Protection plans
- Follow-up on, and feedback in relation to, third party concerns
- Key designated worker role
- Targeted family support service developed for Roscommon, and review of the effectiveness of the Home Management Service
- Children First Guidelines implemented locally
Partial evidence was found that the following recommendations have been implemented, and most are works in progress:
- Policies and procedures for all stages in the child welfare and protection system
- Practice audits and quality assurance
- Reporting up of escalating risks and cases of public importance
- Implementation of a common assessment framework
- Alternative plans
- Working with parents who seek to distract workers
- Involvement of Speech and Language (S&L) Department, and review of Public Health Nursing (PHN) records
- Specialised Child Sexual Abuse Unit or Team in place
- Staff management, including supervision and caseload management
- Child protection case conferences processes and chairpersons
- Standardised file recording and file management systems
- Appropriate staff training
Insufficient evidence was found that the following 4 recommendations have been implemented:
- Victim impact statements: The audit team were advised that guidance was intended to be issued to Children and Family staff on the preparation and presentation of victim impact statements and the right of children in care to privacy. This was to be subject to clearance from Legal Services. This matter remains outstanding.
- Documenting frequency and purpose of home visits: The audit did find that home visits did appear to occur regularly. A number of developments are in train which will ensure that this recommendation is addressed. A National Record Management Strategy will be implemented in Quarter 2. The National Staff Supervision Policy was launched on the 22nd March 2013 and a detailed implementation plan is in place. The introduction of the new policy will provide an important opportunity to provide a renewed focus on a number of areas.
- Outcomes measurement: The National Child Protection Notification project is in the process of developing Guidelines with Supporting Documentation on Child Protection Conference and the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS). Under these guidelines, the requirement for Child Protection places to have achievable measurable child focused outcomes with timeframes will be clearly set out. Child Protection and Welfare Inspections have commenced by HIQA and forthcoming recommendations from these will be implemented and associated learning disseminated.
- Staff alert to Attachment theory, and testing assumptions in supervision: Liaison between the Regional Workforce Development Manager and the Area Managers on training needs has been ongoing in agreeing training priorities for 2013, which includes attachment training. The plan will be kept under review and there will be ongoing liaison in respect of the priorities between the Regional Service Director and the National Manager for Workforce Development.
1092. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on area based approach to child poverty to date; and the plans and projected cost for further improvement in this year. [11372/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the establishment of my Department on 2nd June, 2011 and 31st December 2012, my Department has spent almost €4.944 million on the implementation of the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEIP) initiative. Some €800,000 of this has been allocated to the PEIP in 2013, its final year.
The PEIP is co-funded by my Department and Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) to examine innovative and integrated ways to improve outcomes for children. PEIP supports projects in Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale. These projects involve a range of pilot programmes to improve outcomes in areas such as literacy, speech and language, parenting, health and pro-social behaviour. These programmes are currently being evaluated by national and international experts.
The three PEIP sites are expected to participate in the new Area Based Approach to Child Poverty Initiative, which was announced in Budget 2013 and will be implemented by my Department from later this year. The Initiative, which will build on and continue the work of the PEIP, will deliver the Government's commitment to adopt an area-based approach to child poverty in co-operation with philanthropic partners, drawing upon best international practice and existing services, to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched. A key objective will be to improve outcomes for children and young people where these are currently significantly poorer than they are for children and young people living elsewhere in the State.
The Area-Based Approach to Child Poverty Initiative has a funding allocation of €2.500 million in 2013 and this is expected to rise to €4.750 million by 2015. It is hoped that the Initiative will be co-funded by philanthropic partners and discussions are ongoing to this end.
1093. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the judgment of the European Court of Human rights in X and Others v. Austria on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in step-parent adoption and the implications for the legal system here; her plans to amend Irish law to become ECHR compliant in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11547/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe outcome of the case referred to by the Deputy has been noted by my Department. Section 37(1) of the Adoption Act 2010 provides that a person habitually resident in the State, or a married couple married to each other, each of whom is habitually resident in the State, may apply to the Health Service Executive for an assessment of eligibility and suitability to adopt.
The Deputy will be aware that the issue of civil marriage for same sex couples is a matter which will be examined by the Government following the outcome of the Constitutional Convention.
I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to possible amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010, some of which will be brought forward in conjunction with the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the Oireachtas following the passing of the Children's Referendum.
1094. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will respond to the findings of an evaluation of an early years service that is coordinated by Childhood Development Initiative which showed that in countries such as Finland, well-funded pre-school supports can help children overcome many of the barriers that otherwise prevent them from achieving their potential at school; and if she has plans to implement some of the findings contained in the report. [11747/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) is co-funded by the Department and Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) to examine innovative and integrated ways to improve outcomes for children. PEIP supports projects in Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale. These projects involve a range of pilot programmes to improve outcomes in areas such as literacy, speech and language, parenting, health and pro-social behaviour. These programmes are currently being evaluated by national and international experts.
The Early Years Programme referred to by the Deputy was coordinated by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI), a participant in the PEIP, and was developed with the aim of supporting and targeting families in Tallaght West whose children may have faced barriers to educational achievement and well-being. An evaluation of the programme found that children who took part in the tailored programme demonstrated improved attendance, behaviour and social skills on entry to school.
The three PEIP sites are expected to participate in the new Area Based Approach to Child Poverty Initiative which my Department will my Department will be introducing later this year. This initiative was announced in December 2012 and is intended to build on and continue the work of the PEIP. It has a funding allocation of €2.5m in Budget 2013 which is expected to rise to €4.75 by 2015. Discussions are on-going with Atlantic Philanthropies in the hope of securing matching funding for the new initiative.
The Initiative reflects the Programme for Government commitment to adopt an area-based approach to child poverty in co-operation with philanthropic partners, drawing upon best international practice and existing services, to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched and improve the outcomes for children and young people where these are currently significantly poorer than they are for children and young people living elsewhere in the State. New Area-Based Approach to Child Poverty sites will be required to implement programmes which have been shown by rigorous research to have a positive impact on the lives of children.
The Early Years Strategy, which will be Ireland's first ever national strategy for early years, is already under development and is expected to be completed later this year. It is expected that it will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as health, including physical and mental development, vaccination programmes and population health issues such as nutrition and exercise, as well as parenting and family support, learning and development, play and recreation and early childhood care and education, including literacy and numeracy.
The Strategy will bring together and consider a significant amount of international and domestic research on the importance of early years for child development, including findings from the 'Growing up in Ireland' study. It will also be informed by the evaluations from the Prevention and Early Interventions Projects, as well as an analysis of existing service provision and associated resources. The major programme of institutional change which is currently underway, including the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency, will also be taken into account.
1095. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider initiating discussions between Ireland and Belarus on the matter of inter-country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17383/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to information provided by the Adoption Authority, there have been no applications for registration of foreign adoptions from Belarus since 2007, when one application relating to an adoption effected in 2002 was made.
Belarus has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. However, the National Central Authority of Belarus has not indicated that it will accept applications from persons resident in Ireland. Legal issues exist including the monitoring of post placement reports, registration of the adopted child at the Belarussian embassy in London and consular visits to the homes of adoptive parents.
Prospective adoptive parents with a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to Adopt who are undertaking an intercountry adoption should ensure the adoption complies fully with the Adoption Act, 2010 and the Hague Convention. Further information in this regard can be found on the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).
1096. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will agree to an early meeting with a cross-party group of Deputies which recently met with CDYSB-funded projects which will suffer significant funding cuts, in order to discuss the implications of these cuts for young persons in the Dublin city area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17384/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised to the Deputy in a response Question No. 157, also for answer today, the savings required under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m, which equated to almost a 10% reduction on 2012 funding available for the provision of youth services. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
Funding provided by my Department to support youth projects in the Dublin City area is administered, on behalf of my Department, by the City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB). As the administering body for the funding, CDYSB may make proposals to my Department for the reconfiguration of the funding allocations based on their local knowledge and expertise. This facility is open to all such bodies administering funding for the provision of youth services on behalf of my Department. Such proposals were received from CDYSB this year following notification of the allocations by my Department and, where the proposals recommended that funding cuts in excess of the 10% reduction be applied, my Department directed that, with a small number of exceptions, no project in the Dublin City area would be reduced by more than the 10% required by the CRE.
The City of Dublin Youth Service Board was notified of this decision and revised proposals in this regard were submitted by CDYSB and approved by my Department.
I have met, and will continue to meet, with many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to minimise the impact of these necessary savings. Meetings have also taken place between my Department and the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) to try and see how we can work together to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the resources available in order to continue to support the provision of quality youth services to young people.
1097. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 21 march 2013, her plans to deal with the considerable variation in geographical coverage of the various agencies she mentions as being part of the CSC initiative (details supplied). [17385/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department (DCYA) is leading an initiative to develop and implement a planning model for local interagency working to improve outcomes for children. The purpose of this initiative is to work towards better developmental outcomes for children through more effective integration of policies and services, in particular through the Children’s Services Committees at local level.
The issue of co-terminosity is one which has been under consideration in the context of the development of CSCs for some time, in particular since the establishment of the Integrated Service Areas within the HSE structure. While relationships with the city and county councils have been key, it is also the case that the relationship with the HSE and emerging structures within the HSE at national, regional and local level will be a key interface in the context of the development of a separate Child and Family Agency (CFA).
You may wish to note that in most cases the Child & Family Area Managers are the Chairs of the Children Services Committees and in some instances an Area manager may chair two CSCs, South Tipperary & Carlow and Kildare & South Dublin.
I am confident that my Department against a backdrop of evolving structures will be in a position to address the issues arising from local government reform and the establishment of the new Child and Family Agency. My Department and the Department of Health will be liaising in the context of these matters to ensure that optimal structures and working practices are effected.
1098. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the priority she is giving to the front-line workers in the Clondalkin and Lucan youth services, Dublin; if she will outline the impact the planned cuts will have on these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17457/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra1099. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the front-line workers in the Clondalkin/Lucan youth services are dealing with one of the most vulnerable and at risk groups in the greater Dublin area and the rise in crime, drug use, drug trafficking, anti-social behaviour, youth pregnancy and school absenteeism are at risk of dramatically increasing if the planned cuts are implemented; if she will reconsider her policy of funding youth cafés and continue to maintain the funding for frontline workers in youth work in Clondalkin and Lucan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17458/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1098 and 1099 together.
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
The overall funding of €53.173m available for the provision of youth services in 2013 includes capital funding of €1.75m. €1m of this capital funding is being made available for the provision of new youth cafés in 2013. I do not accept the need; as the Deputy seems to be suggesting; for a review of my decision to allocate this funding in 2013 for the development of new youth cafés. The availability of capital funding in 2013 reinforces the Government’s commitment to the extension of quality youth café throughout the country, in particular noting the repeated emphasis that young people have placed on the need for safe, alcohol-free recreational facilities. Since becoming Minister I have been greatly encouraged by the quality of the projects that have already been grant-aided under previous Youth Café funding schemes.
The savings required under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m which equated to almost a 10% reduction on 2012 funding available for the provision of youth services. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
My Department has tried to be as equitable as possible in achieving these savings. In considering how best to manage within the reduced budgets available, organisations are being asked to consider the scope for reducing administration costs and overheads, if this is at all possible, in order to maintain the front line youth services for young people. I have met with many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to minimise the impact of these necessary savings.
The funding allocated for the provision of youth services in Co. Dublin is administered by Co. Dublin VEC on behalf of my Department. It is open to that body, as it is to all bodies administering funding to youth services/programmes on behalf of my Department, to submit proposals to my Department to reconfigure the allocations made by the Department, based on their local knowledge and expertise in relation to the youth projects in their area. Co. Dublin VEC submitted such proposals to my Department and following consideration in the Department these proposals were approved. It is my understanding that Co. Dublin VEC have consulted with the projects in the Clondalkin/Lucan area and assured them of their continued support for these projects in managing the resources available in the most effective and efficient way.
In 2013, the youth funding amounting to almost €1.5 million has been allocated to services in the Clondalkin and Lucan area. This includes:
Youth Affairs Funding 2013
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€262,331 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities Services Fund 1 |
€479,965 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities Services Fund 2 |
€666,373 |
|
Youth Information Centre |
€49,001 |
|
Traveller Development |
€33,545 |
In addition, Co. Dublin VEC disperses small grant support, funded by my Department, to local voluntary youth clubs in the Lucan & Clondalkin areas. The Deputy should note that under the Comprehensive Review of expenditure, I have ensured that there has been no cut to the total national funding being provided by my Department to support the local voluntary youth club grant schemes as this funding plays an important role in supporting volunteer-led youth groups and in promoting and leveraging valuable voluntary activity in youth work.
1100. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a second free year of early childhood care and education for children with Down's syndrome who need a second year before they are ready to start junior infants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17475/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. The Government has made a very significant commitment in maintaining the pre-school year on a universal and free basis despite the current budgetary situation. The universal nature of this programme is critical for childhood development by providing every child with early learning and preparation for school.
The ECCE programme includes a number of additional provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions should be made prior to the child commencing the programme.
It is my view that it would be extremely helpful to many children if a second pre-school year were to be provided. This would be particularly beneficial for children with special needs and I would like to be in a position to deliver on this. However, the introduction of a second pre-school year would require considerable additional funding and I must operate within the financial constraints under which the rest of the Government is operating. The ECCE programme will continue to be evaluated and developed as resources permit.
